Australia sorry for vandalism

Australian chef de Mission Steve Moneghetti has expressed regret over an incident of vandalism involving its athletes at the Commonwealth Games Village.

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Mail Today Bureau

New Delhi

October 16, 2010

UPDATED: October 16, 2010 11:11 IST

Australian chef de Mission Steve Moneghetti has expressed regret over the involvement of the country's athletes in an incident of vandalism at the Commonwealth Games Village earlier this week. The country, which had earlier denied its involvement, has finally apologised and offered to pay for the damages caused, said Organising Committee spokesperson Lalit Bhanot.

Australian athletes

The incident occurred when a few Australian athletes went on rampage at the Games Village, apparently out of frustration following India's 2-0 cricket Test series win against their national team. Reports also claimed that the Australians also shouted slogans against Indian batting icon Sachin Tendulkar, who played a pivotal role in India's victory.

According to a statement issued by the Australian High Commission, "There were indeed some spirited celebrations involving the Australian team and a number of other teams at the athlete's village. The athletes were enjoying their stay in Delhi and celebrating their achievements in the Commonwealth Games.

A good story we would have thought. "We can confirm that in the course of those celebrations, a washing machine was damaged, though it remains unclear who did the damage, what their nationality was, and whether it was deliberate or accidental," said the statement. Bhanot's statement, however, contradicts the Australian High Commission's stand that the reports of Aussies indulging in vandalism are baseless.

"The reports regarding Australian celebrations at the Athletes' Village and the resultant damage to a washing machine are true. The person in charge of Tower 21 brought it to the notice of the Village authorities. The issue was taken up with the Australian CGA who regretted the incident and agreed to pay for the damage as per guidelines," Bhanot said.

But the Australian High Commission denied the reports saying: "It is factually wrong, insulting to Australia's athletes and can only be described as a fantasy."

However, Delhi Police confirmed that a washing machine was thrown from the eighth floor of a residential block housing Australians. Australian Commonwealth Games Association chief Perry Crosswhite confirmed that an Aussie athlete has indeed been sent home from Delhi for disciplinary reasons.

"No one was injured in Thursday's incident," Crosswhite said on Friday. The Sydney Morning Herald quoted him as saying that he was disappointed by the incident. "We don't know who did that. Delhi police came around and they've done an investigation," Crosswhite said.

He also revealed that one of the athletes was sent home a few days ago for bad behaviour but did not reveal the person's identity. CWG Village in-charge Ashok Kapur said it was no major incident and indicated that the athletes were just having fun.

"It happened at around 4 am and that the team management had already apologised for it," Kapur said.

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